I was so uplifted by the post about the Marborg employees, and I realized it's been a little while since we've
had a collection posted of "Random Acts of Kindness" witnessed by Edhatters in our community. Let's hear
'em!

A couple of years ago very close to Chrismastme, I was standing in line at the pharmacy at CVS and there was an elderly gentleman and his friend in front of me. It turned out that his insurance wouldn't cover his medication. I overheard that it was really important for him to have it and it was only $20.00. I asked him if he would please do me a favor and let me pay for it, and he agreed and was so thankful! I didn't have much money,(still don't, but it felt so good to be able to help that sweet man spend his holiday not being sick. Not trying to toot my horn, people have done the same for me. It just felt great to pay it forward.

COMMENT 349319P

2012-12-01 06:28 PM

Random acts of kindness I started 25 years ago when I had someone do something nice to help me. Everyday I try to do as many random acts of kindness I can. There is also a website. I have surprised elderly neighbors with a good home cooked meal, I have also helped people garden or pull weeds, I have bought people fast food when they are behind me, I have handed people coupons at the grocery store so that they can save $10 more dollars, I carry a bag of food around with me if I see a person needing help, I have stopped my car on the freeway to help someone, Give someone a present for no reason, When I do it, I say PASS IT ON. Hoping the person will start doing the same thing. Wouldn't be nice if everyone did this simple act on a daily bases.

COMMENT 349347P

2012-12-01 07:37 PM

Tiny things. Saying hi to people in the store, offering to read a label or grab something for someone frail. (I leave unused coupons on the shelf by the product). Driving is a big one for me - underemployment means I don't rush like working folk, so I give other drivers a break, a wave, let them rush around me. Thanking customer service people. Smiling. acknowledging that people exist. A smile and quick exchange can change someone's day.

COMMENT 349361

2012-12-01 08:35 PM

Just yesterday (Friday, our garbage and recycle pick-up day) my neighbour was kind enough to drag my emptied containers back up off the road and into my driveway. It made my day !!!

COMMENT 349367

2012-12-01 08:59 PM

Interesting it's mostly people tooting their own horn.

SBSWEETPEA

2012-12-01 09:48 PM

Once a few years ago I was out to dinner on Valentine's Day with three single girlfriends at Something's Fishy and a couple at the next table over paid for all of our dinners. We were so amazed at their generosity.If you are out there and read Edhat Thank You!

COMMENT 349377P

2012-12-01 10:11 PM

How about some random acts of kindness for the entire planet? Get out on your feet more, stop driving so much. Ride MTD.

Take reusable bags to the market. Go vegetarian for two or more days per week. Start a compost and recycle your food waste. Take your own to-go container when you dine out. Stop using plastic forks and spoons at your parties. Don't use styrofoam anything.

All humans would benefit from more people being kind to the planet.

COMMENT 349403

2012-12-02 06:48 AM

I witnessed a random act by Marborg yesterday. A dumpster truck crushed a shiny red Volvo right outside their offices. Dave B. came out and directed traffic around the accident. It was heart warming.

COMMENT 349431P

2012-12-02 08:38 AM

Thanks for the insightful and kind comment, 367. And the useful instructions, 77P. Now we know!

Personally I try to do nice things whenever I can, not just for the other person but because it makes me feel good. Selfish little horn-tooting me. In this world where we usually feel like what we do has so very little impact, it's nice to have an opportunity handed to you to help a mom with a giant stroller through a doorway, make something a little less complicated, tell someone they dropped something, pull over and let Mr. Speedy go speeding by, let the person with one thing go ahead of you in line, take the shopping cart someone left in a parking space back to the store with you, etc. Yes, sometimes I regret it and think nice guys finish last and determine to be a hard-ss in future, but I can never stick to it. Being nice just makes my day, and when someone is nice to me (turn signals! thank you!) I feel like all the rest is worth it.

COMMENT 349442

2012-12-02 08:59 AM

Of course the anectdotes about random acts of kindness are by people who "toot there own horn" about engaging in acts of kindness or sometimes those who recieved the act of kindness. Who else would be aware of them? They are annonymous here so one can assume they are only offered up to encourage others to do the same, not to get some kind of credit for doing them. Only rarely does some independent person or someone in the media pick up on such acts and give them any exposure, particularly small everyday acts which go unnoticed to anyone but those involved.

COMMENT 349479P

2012-12-02 10:46 AM

Relating these things is being not self congratulatory, it's acknowledging the good manners you were carefully taught by caring elders. We are just trying to paying forward their kindnesses and patience in teaching us.

I love it when a man tips his hat or head in acknowledgement of someone, or when someone gestures a smiling and kindly "after you".

Some of my favorites: letting people into a traffic lane at a light, when entering the road from a parking lot. Reaching something for someone shorter. Helping people find something at a store. Saying 'thank you' to children who show manners, to reinforce.

COMMENT 349486P

2012-12-02 10:56 AM

Indeed, 31P. It just feels good and it radiates.And so many of these acts are just plain courtesy. (Common courtesy, like common sense, is not so common). I always take my and sometimes others shopping carts back to the corral or store front. I always hold doors open for people, let someone buying a couple of items go in front of me, alert people to spills on the floor, etc. (I must spend a lot of time in grocery stores.) And I do more of these things than are done for me. A lot of these things are things we learned in kindergarten! Such as put it back where you found it, a smile is better than a frown, be helpful.My fave is when my neighbor, unannounced, brings me a plate of her cooking!

COMMENT 349501

2012-12-02 11:47 AM

Really nothing feels better than to pay it forward. I'm on. Disability, but when I can, I give a bag of food to an even less fortunate person. I mean,Can you imagine feeling hunger for hours upon hours? My son does the se thing, I'm proud to say. Recently at the Carrillo Cvs there was a beautifully dressed elderly woman scanning. The candy, but walked away with none. So I followed her and asked if I might help her find candy. Her hair was Snow White and she walked exceedingly slowly. Together we walked back to the candy aisle where she chose a particular size of Snickers. I. Saw no one with her. It was so mysterious I felt I had just been touched or tested by an angel, as she simply disappeared. One never knows so please show kindness and reach deep into your hearts.

COMMENT 349514

2012-12-02 12:41 PM

486 P I often see people who just unloaded groceries into their vehicle and as they start back I ask if I can take the cart back for them, whether I need a cart or not. It is a small courtesy. I am going that way anyway. If I don't need a cart I put it back. I agree with many posters here that these small acts of kindness and courtesy are contageous and they make one feel good even if no one else is affected, expresses appreciation or even notices it. In this day and age of such a big and often cold and callous society where everyone seems to be in his or her own world, just a smile, nod and a pleasant greeting to a stranger is uplifting and I have as yet to have the smile, nod or greeting NOT returned by the recipient.

CORKY

2012-12-02 03:06 PM

I had two lately. I carry my credit cards, Medicare, insurance, etc. in a wrist wallet. It disappeared a couple of months ago and two days later, right after I canceled one card, I got a call from SBB&Trust saying it had been in the Magnolia parking lot and was turned in. Everything was in it including $20 emergency money I would have gladly given the man who turned it in. Then a couple of weeks ago, I went to Camino Real to the movie and the next day realized I didn't have the wallet. That night I remembered taking it off my wrist during the movie. Went back the next day and it wasn't where I was sitting, but the young man looked in the safe and came out holding it, so thanks to honest people and employees.

COMMENT 349571

2012-12-02 06:26 PM

I used to make a habit of watching older single shoppers, looking sad and worn, doing their meticulous shopping. I would go near and pick a product and gently tap a shoulder and ask if he or she could tell me if or what they thought of this product. And we would get into a little conversation, and whoever it was would walk away more spryly and with a smile. Did not cost me a thing, but I I always felt richer for the experience. Now I am the "old "'one. I guess I just do not look sad enough for people to make conversation. Life is funny.

COMMENT 349682

2012-12-03 08:22 AM

I almost tooted my own horn here, but realized that my username would identify me. Because I am not anonymous, I won't recount some of the things I have done personally, but thanks for the opportunity to allow myself to think about them -- it did make me feel better about who I am today!

COMMENT 349723

2012-12-03 11:01 AM

Corky: I lost my wallet and when I went shopping the following week, one of the employees at Ralphs came up to me in the deli department & asked if I lost my wallet. They must have shown their employees my ID and told them to keep an eye out for me, because I don't think this particular employee knew me. How cool is that? One time, I was behind a guy on the freeway when his car started spewing radiator fluid. Once he realized & pulled over, I stopped ahead of him, and brought a bunch of water bottles out so he could top off the radiator once it cooled enough (and to drink since it was crazy hot & he had dogs in the car). I was smiling for a ridiculous amount of time afterwards.